Power: A New Attribute For OD&D!

Optional Attribute

Power

My Optional Rules contain several optional attributes that have been created or harvested from various sources and honed to fit the game. Power was chosen to be presented for this work as it is directly related to the nature of magic.

Power

Roll 3d6 for your character's Power score. A high Power level means that your character is in tune with the subtle forces of magic, ley lines, power source and the barriers and veils between the many planes of existence. As an optional attribute it is not the prime attribute of any class. The Power score might also measure the power of the character's mystical aura.

There are several ways in which the Power attribute can be applied in the game. The first of these is as a modifier to Saving Throws vs. Magic, per the Power Table below. This may be because the aura of the character is strong and deflects the magic being used upon her or because the sixth sense of the character picks up on the magic being used, causing other defenses to begin working.

Second, since power measures a character's sensitivity to magic, the referee might rule that an attribute check might be able to be made to determine magical auras, as per the Detect Magic spell. This might only apply to those with a high power score, or it may merely require a check. The way in which such a check is made is up to the referee. It may entail rolling lower than the character's ability score using 3d6 or 1d20. Furthermore, as a house rule in the creation of this attribute, the power of the magic in question is taken into account. The “level” of power of the magic is deducted from the score of the detector and this creates the target number to roll in order to perceive the magic. For example a character with 15 Power has a chance to detect an assassin that has been rendered invisible. Mind you that the character will not innately know that there is an invisible assassin, but will know that something magical is afoot. We will presume that the spell Invisibility was used on the assassin. Invisibility is a 2^nd Level Magic-User spell. Thus the referee subtracts 2 from the character's score of 15. The target number to beat will be 13. The player is told to throw 1d20, but not told why. 13 is rolled on the nose. The character realizes that something magical is afoot, and that roughly where it is, but not exactly what it is.

In the same example we can make things more interesting. The referee might rule that more information is gleaned, via the character's Power for each number below the target number that is rolled. Let us assume that that a 9 is rolled instead of a 13. The referee might now rule that the character is also aware of roughly how powerful the magic at hand is. Presuming that character roles lower, let's go all the way to a natural 1 on the roll, the referee might even give insight as to what spell is afoot!

A referee might also rule that highly sensitive characters, that is to say those with a high Power score, might also suffer in the presence of very powerful magic, if they are not used to it's presence. If this is the case a saving throw might be required when such a character is exposed to magic equivalent to spells above 6^th level. Ill effects for failing such a save may result in anything from being momentarily stunned and unable to act for a round to seizures that might result in the loss of multiple rounds and potential damage.

The third function that Power can be used for is to retrieve a spell that is cast. As is known, arcane magic functions by trapping a spell in the brain of the magic-user. The spell WANTS to be released. When the spell is cast it's effects take place and it is gone from the magic-user's mind. It is possible, using one's power, to retain a spell as it is being cast, allowing it's effects to take place, but effectively pulling it back into the mind of the magic-user.

A spellcaster may attempt to retain a number of spell levels per day equal to her caster level. At the time of the casting the magician must make a Power check less the spell level. If the check is made the spell is retained and may be cast again that day. If the check is failed the spell is lost as normal. If the check is failed the attempt still counts against the casters retaining attempts for that day. To give an example: a 3^rd level sorcerer may attempt to retain three 1^st level spells or one 1^st level spell and one 2^nd level spell.

Octhorrorfest: Lycanthropy Without Tears, A Rite of Lycanthropy For Old School Fantasy and Horror Games

It's that time of year again folks. To kick off the Hallows season, I'm going to give you something vile for your villains! The Rites of Lycanthropy! Where statistics are needed, Swords & Wizardry rules are used.

 

Even a man who is pure in heart and says his prayers by night, may become a wolf when the wolfbane blooms and the autumn moon is bright. -The Wolf Man (1942)

 

 

 

Now it is well established in lore that one can be come a Were(insert animal here) through a curse or through infection, typically through the bite of a lycanthrope. What happens if a character (pc or npc) seeks in insanity, vengeance or greed, to become a lycanthrope through choice? Is it possible? Of course it is. Most things are possible through ritual magic, in a fantasy game.

 

If a character is so driven, and discovers this method, the ritual is quite simple, though there is a price to be paid. The desire to become a lycanthrope is, in itself a chaotic inclination. The Taint of Chaos is upon any who undertake such a rite. The ritual entails a magical ointment, a Demon Prince or Duke of Hell willing to offer their "help" as a patron in the transformation and an age old incantation. Needless to say, any undertaking this rite become chaotic in alignment.

 

 

 

First, the candidate must gather all of these ingredients and heat them in a cauldron to produce the ointment. How easy these herbs and other ingredients are to obtain is up to the referee. The gathering of the first ingredient itself is a vile and chaotic act.

 

 

* fat from disinterred children
* hemlock
* aconite
* poplar leaves
* soot or cowbane
* sweet flag
* cinquefoil
* bat's blood
* deadly nightshade
* oil

 

*a belt of the skin of a wolf (other animal) to be worn as the only article of clothing during the ritual

 

The candidate must then draw a thaumaturgical circle upon the night of the full moon and petition the dark patron that they have chosen to call upon, once the ointment has boiled. An offering appropriate to the patron should be used to entice the demon/devil. Then the incantation is given:

 

"Make me a werewolf! Make me a man-eater!

Make me a werewolf! Make me a child-eater!

Make me a werewolf! Make me a woman-eater!

I pine for blood! human blood!

Give it to me! Give it to me tonight!

(name of demon/devil)! Give it to me, and heart, body, and soul, I am yours!"

 

A saving throw is made. If successful the patron hears the plea. It is the referee's decision as to whether or not the otherworldly being actually appears and aids the candidate. If successful, at this point, a pact will be made between the candidate and the patron. If the patron accepts, it shall bestow the "gift" of lycanthropy upon the candidate.